As the world moves toward the design and development of 6G, sustainability is becoming an essential pillar within the telecom industry. There is a growing responsibility to ensure that advancements toward 6G align with global sustainability goals, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and European norms and values, e.g. the European Green Deal. Within this context, the environmental, social, economic, and compliance impacts of 6G deployment present both significant challenges and exciting opportunities to rethink how we approach the digital future.
From the outset, it is clear that 6G technologies will have a profound impact on the environment. However, as we consider the future of telecommunications, addressing key aspects of environmental sustainability like energy consumption and efficiency, e-waste, biodiversity conservation, etc. (section 1), and how these issues relate to societal and economic dimensions of sustainability in ways that support people’s well-being, improved solidarity, and support prosperous economies (section 2) will be critical in shaping a sustainable path forward.
A section of this blog aligns with the 6G4Society Deliverable 1.1., where you can learn more about societal aspects in 6G technology: concerns, acceptance models and sustainability indicators.
General Environmental Footprint of 6G
The production and disposal of electronic equipment for 6G networks is likely to contribute significantly to e-waste, natural resource depletion, and biodiversity loss. Moreover, the infrastructure required to support 6G systems and related device production is expected to increase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, exacerbating climate change. Even as services and devices become more environmentally aware, more work is needed to understand the overall footprint of their whole life cycle.
Building upon these environmental concerns, natural resource and energy consumption form the backbone of the operational challenges associated with 6G.
Natural Resource and Energy Consumption
The deployment of 6G will require advanced materials, including rare earth elements, whose extraction and processing carry significant environmental consequences (as well as possible human rights breaches, which go beyond the environmental scope and make part of compliance issues, discussed further). This extraction includes habitat and broader biodiversity destruction, water pollution, and high energy use. Additionally, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs)—a critical component of 6G—will require considerable energy for both their launch and maintenance. Notably, we do not fully understand all possible consequences of the development of NTNs: for example, the satellite’s impact on nature (e.g. light pollution) is not fully known yet.
Considering the extensive energy requirements involved in deploying and maintaining 6G networks, both protecting biodiversity and natural resources on the one hand, and improving energy efficiency on the other are not only crucial but also two of the most impactful areas to reduce environmental harm.
Energy Efficiency
As highlighted above, to mitigate the environmental effects of high resource and energy consumption, increasing energy efficiency within 6G networks is essential. This involves monitoring energy usage and integrating renewable energy sources wherever possible. The development of energy-efficient technologies along the lifecycle from production to use to end-of-life will further help reduce the carbon footprint of telecom systems, especially NTNs.
The above elements—carbon footprint, resource consumption, biodiversity loss and, hence, biodiversity conservation efforts, and energy efficiency—are integral to the larger sustainability conversation surrounding 6G.
Sustainability in telecom and specifically, in 6G, extends beyond environmental concerns. It also encompasses social and economic considerations, as well a somewhat ‘external’, but crucial, compliance dimension. For example, reducing energy consumption in the NTN component has various broader implications:
In the following sections, we address some primary sustainability concerns in telecom and 6G beyond environmental considerations.
Handprint of 6G: Impact on Society and Economy
While environmental sustainability is crucial, the impact of 6G on societal and economic sustainability is equally important. To ensure inclusivity, 6G must address the digital divide and promote equitable access to digital resources. Projects under SNS-JU are striving to provide affordable, high-quality connectivity, particularly in underserved and remote areas, thus fostering digital inclusivity. By bridging the connectivity gap between urban and rural areas, these efforts align with broader social sustainability goals, ensuring that 6G serves all communities equitably and supports economic development across diverse regions.
In the context of 6G, societal sustainability is a key component of a holistic vision of sustainability and plays a crucial role in 6G development socio-economic priorities, such as accessibility, inclusivity, well-being, enhanced skills, equality, and solidarity. These priorities are key to achieving this vision, and may be conducive of a broader social acceptance. Ensuring the equitable distribution of 6G benefits is crucial to avoid widening the digital divide. Efforts to bridge this gap are an integral part of sustainable practices and 6G’s positive handprint.
The development of 6G aims to deliver affordable and high-quality broadband access globally, with a particular focus on underserved regions, such as remote rural areas. This expansion has the potential to bridge the digital divide, fostering greater inclusivity by enabling universal access to services, education, and information. But it is important to note that availability does not automatically lead to accessibility nor gaining benefits from the service. By engaging these elements of sustainability holistically, 6G could also shift power dynamics between developed and developing nations by empowering marginalised communities with access to advanced digital services and supporting the opportunities that come from this. This connectivity could reduce disparities between urban and rural areas, allowing even remote communities to benefit from digital advancements, including immersive education, improved cultural connectivity, and enhanced healthcare.
With Dreams Come Responsibilities
However, significant challenges accompany the rollout of 6G, especially concerning infrastructure disparities, affordability, and spectrum management. If past trends carry forward, once less focused on sustainability, the initial deployment will likely favour urban centres, which could widen the gap between early adopters and those left behind, particularly in developing regions. Spectrum access and management may pose barriers to international cooperation, limiting global coverage. Moreover, the high cost of 6G-compatible devices and data plans could prevent lower-income populations from participating in the digital economy, exacerbating existing socio-economic inequalities.
Other risks include cultural hegemony, where dominant languages and wealthier regions monopolise digital content production, marginalising smaller cultural groups. Additionally, reliance on foreign-owned 6G technologies could compromise digital sovereignty for developing nations. Data privacy disparities may also emerge, with wealthier regions enjoying stronger protections, leaving vulnerable populations exposed to exploitation. Mental health concerns, such as information overload and cognitive strain, may also arise, highlighting the need for safeguards to protect against the negative social and psychological impacts of increased digital engagement.
Regulatory and Compliance Challenges
Navigating global and EU sustainability regulations and standards is essential for 6G deployment, presenting both challenges and opportunities for innovation. These include the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the European Green Deal, the EU Taxonomy Regulation, and more. This policy and regulatory framework emphasises the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic well-being.
The European Green Deal highlights the need to balance economic, environmental, and social objectives, emphasising that no single focus should overpower the others. It also connects sustainability efforts with the European Pillar of Social Rights and digital transition initiatives, showcasing the broad spectrum of values associated with sustainability beyond just energy and net-zero goals.
In the context of 6G, the European Commission places sustainability — environmental, societal, and economic — at the forefront. Societal and economic priorities, such as security, privacy, and accessibility, are components of achieving this vision, but not complete pictures. Moreover, there is limited overlap between the detailed values in 6G strategies and broader EU sustainability policies. Implicit within the 6G strategies are potential trade-offs, such as the push for broader digitalisation and leadership in technology, which could introduce challenges in balancing sustainability priorities.
The future of 6G is not just about faster speeds and advanced technologies. We must build a network that integrates such values as fairness, equality, education, and poverty alleviation with environmental protection, climate action, and emissions reduction. 6G needs to serve the needs of all, leaving no one, no community, no economy, and no place behind from the benefits or facing greater harms.
As we move forward, it is essential that we consider the diverse needs and values of different communities and stakeholders, and offer an interpretation of 6G also as a social phenomenon. This means exploring how shifts in the information and communication landscape resonate on a broader societal level and reflecting on the existing and evolving interactions between technological, economic, environmental, and social dimensions—such as the relevant systems of actors and their underlying value systems.
Author names: Anna Aseeva, Katrina Petersen and Margot Bezzi
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